Interaction Between Puccinia xanthii and Facultative Parasitic Fungi on Xanthium occidentale

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the possible interactions between Puccinia xanthii and facultative parasitic fungi isolated from plants of the Noogoora burr complex. Six different Colletotrichum spp., a Phomopsis sp. and Alternaria zinniae, the latter a potential bioherbicide for Xanthium weeds, were tested. Alternaria zinniae caused necrotic lesions of leaf and stem on healthy and rust-infected Noogoora burr plants and did not specifically infect rust lesions. Most Colletotrichum spp. infected Noogoora burr via leaf and stem rust lesions. The infected lesions of P. xanthii became necrotic and the pustules did not reach maturity. Colletotrichum orbiculare was the only facultative parasite able to grow beyond the rust lesions into the surrounding tissue, girdle the stem, and consequently kill the plant tissue above. Colletotrichurn orbiculare did not infect plants previously infected by A. zinniae. The possible additive or synergistic adverse effects of the rust and the facultative parasitic fungi on the Noogoora burr complex offer new avenues to explore for biological control.